Pacers Fans Sue Patrick Beverley, Bucks Over Ball-Throwing Incident

More than nine months after Patrick Beverley threw a basketball into the stands during a heated playoff game, two Indiana Pacers fans are taking legal action against the veteran guard, the Milwaukee Bucks, and former Bucks assistant coach Josh Oppenheimer.

According to a lawsuit filed last Friday in Marion County Superior Court, the fans—Allison Simmons and Lia Lanciotti—claim they suffered physical pain, mental anguish, humiliation, and lost wages as a result of Beverley’s actions.

Pacers fans are suing Bucks and Pat Bev for experiencing “medical expenses, mental anguish, humiliation and lost wages” after being hit in head by ball Beverley threw into the stands last year.

(via @FOX59) pic.twitter.com/jWIQGtxb7m

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 25, 2025

Beverley, now playing overseas, was suspended four games by the NBA for the incident. However, he has yet to serve that suspension and could still face discipline if he returns to the league.

Incident at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Sparks Lawsuit

The lawsuit stems from Game 6 of the Bucks-Pacers first-round playoff series on May 2, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

With the Bucks trailing big in the closing minutes, video footage captured Beverley throwing a basketball twice into the stands from Milwaukee’s bench. The first pass struck Simmons in the head, and the second hit Lanciotti in the chest, allegedly breaking her necklace and causing immediate pain and soreness.

FULL VIDEO OF PATRICK BEVERLY THROWING BALL into innocent Woman PACERS fan who were just clapping & a bystander returning the ball👀 @NBA pic.twitter.com/I2RHhKD8Dg

— MADE by “VIRGIL” (@madebyVIRGIL) May 3, 2024

Simmons said she struggled to breathe after the impact, prompting EMTs to check her blood pressure and pulse, which tested extremely high.

Beverley, after throwing the first ball, waved at another fan to toss it back to him—only to aggressively fire it back into the crowd once again.

Despite the intense moment, Beverley was not ejected, but he did not return to the game. The incident was later investigated by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, though no criminal charges were filed.

Legal Action and the Fans’ Claims

Simmons and Lanciotti are seeking unspecified damages, including compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Emotional distress
• Humiliation and embarrassment

Additionally, they are requesting punitive damages, arguing that Beverley’s actions were intentional, grossly negligent, and constituted offensive physical contact.

Their lawsuit cites Beverley’s own words as evidence, pointing out that he admitted wrongdoing on his podcast but also allegedly misrepresented the incident by claiming the fans had been heckling him.

“It’s an unfortunate situation that should have never happened,” Beverley said on his show. “What I did was bad, and that should have never happened. I have to be better and I will be better.”

NBA Discipline and Beverley’s Overseas Stint

Following the incident, the NBA suspended Beverley for four games without pay, citing both the ball-throwing incident and his inappropriate interaction with an ESPN reporter after the game.

During media availability, Beverley refused to answer a reporter’s question because she wasn’t subscribed to his podcast, then pushed her microphone away and told her to leave the press area.

Beverley, however, has yet to serve his suspension. In July, he signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League, but his time there was short-lived. He was suspended earlier this month following a dispute with the team’s head coach, leading to a mutual separation.

If Beverley returns to the NBA, his four-game suspension remains in effect.

Beverley’s Defense and the Fallout

Beverley has defended his actions, claiming he reacted to inappropriate remarks from fans but acknowledging that he should have handled the situation differently.

“Regardless of what was said … it was more than, ‘Cancun on three,'” Beverley explained. “I’ve been called a lot of stuff in this league, I haven’t been called that one. Still inexcusable. It doesn’t matter what was said. I have to be better, and I will be better.”

With the lawsuit now filed, Beverley, the Bucks, and the NBA will be forced to confront the incident once again.

For the Pacers fans involved, this isn’t just about what happened that night—it’s about holding Beverley accountable for what they claim was an act of reckless aggression.